Milk crate



H. REHRIG sept. 2, 195s MILK CRATE 2 Sheets-Shea?l 1 Filed Dec. 30, 1'955 INVENTOR Mous-ron REHRIG H. REHRIG MILK CRATE Sept. 2, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheetl 2 Filed Dec. so. 1955 l/ l l/ /l/ll /ll l/I INVENTOR REHRIG HOUSTON United States Patent Oy MILK CRATE Houston Rehrig, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Rehrig Paciic Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application December 30, 1955, Serial No. 556,587

12 Claims. (Cl. 220-19) This invention relates to milk-chates and in particular concerns a wire crate having a sheet metal bottom.

A major object of my invention is t-o provide a crate with wire sides assembled on ya bottom `sheet in a sturdy and rigid manner with a minimum number of permanent joints or connections.

Another object of my invention is to provide a crate in which wire sides may be Ireadily assembled on a sheet metal bottom.

Still another object of my invention is t-o provide an improved guard for protecting exposed corners of wire sides of a crate.

In the achievement of the foregoing, Iand other objects, one ofthe features of my invention resides in an integral stacking rail-side lrail element in which a stacking rail portion is provided with a pair of spaced, horizontal surfaces for supporting the side edges of the sheet-like bottom, and a side rail portion projecting upwardly above the outer surface of the stacking rail to form a side rail having, in most instances, a hollow, box-like configuration. An upper surface of the stacking rail is provided with a series of spaced openings or holes for the reception of the ends of the wire side members. An outer side wall ofthe stacking r-ail is preferably crimped -or bent inwardly lto `engage side members and provide additional support therefor. In most forms of the invention, no permanent lsecuring of the side members -to the side rails is required and where such securing is, in fact, employed a light weld may be used. In the interior of the side rails the wire side members are, as a general rule, -oifset to prevent direct vertical withdrawal of the side members from the holes. By the foregoing construction, the wire or rod-like -side members engage three separated points within the side rail, thus greatly increasing the rigidity of the side memlber.

When wire crates are employed for handling cardboard milk containers, the containers located in the corner of the crate are exposed between the end wires of adjacent sides. provided a sheet metal corner guard formed with grooves adapted to receive the end wires of adj-acent sides. An elongated, oval shaped hole is formed and extends transversely across each of the grooves lat each end of the corner guard, so that the horizontally disposed -tie mem- -bers may be directly welded to the end side members within this hole, thus obviating the necessity of welding the corner guard directly to the wire side members.

`Other features, advantages and objects of my invention will become readily apparent by reference to the following To protect the container at this location, I have p 2,850,199 Patented Sept. 2, 1958 Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing another form of side member;

Figs. 5 and 6 are cross sectional views similar to Fig. 2 showing further embodiments of the invention;

Figs. 7 and 8 disclose still .another form of the invention, Fig. 7 being an isometric sectional view and Fig. 8 being a p-artial plan view; and

Fig. 9 is an isometric view of the corner guard.

The crate shown in the drawings is especially adapted for handling thefamiliar one quart cardboard milk containers. It includes a sheet metal bottom 10 which is preferably provided with a plurality of suitably located drainage holes l2. As best seen in Figs. 2 through 5, the side edges of the sheet metal bottom are bent toform an upturned ange 14 extending along the major portion of each side edge of the bottom 10. Bottom 10 is supported, as best seen in Figs. 2, 4 and 5 upon a pair of spaced horizontal surfaces 16 and 18 of a stacking rail-side rail element indicated `generally by the numeral 20.

A separate stacking rail-side rail element 20 is pro vided for each side of the crate. Each of the elements 20 is identical and is formed, as bes-t appreciated lin Fig. 3, from a `single blank of sheet material. In addition to the horizontal bottom supporting surfaces 16 and 18 referred to above, each element 20 is formed with a depending stacking rail located between the surfaces 16 and 18 whi-ch includes an inclined inner side surface 22, a bottom surface 24 and a substantially vertical outer side surface 26. As best seen in Fig. 3, the stacking rail does notextend the entire length o-f element 20, but terminates -best illustrated in Fig. 1. 28 are such. that when the elements 20 are assembled upon the bottom, the juncture of surfaces 22 and 24 ofv adjacent elements 20 is substantially continuous around the crate, while an interior angle is formed byadjacent end surfaces 28, eliminating the single sharp corner which would otherwise be present in this region.

Elements 20 are secured to the crate bottom -by mounting tabs 30, 32 extending outwardly from end surfaces 28. In order that the mounting tabs of -adjacent elements 20 may be overlapped during assembly, mounting tab 30 at one end of an element 20 is located in a horizontal plane -below the plane containing the mounting tab 32 at the opposite end of the element. Thus, when the elemen-ts 20 shown in Fig. 3 .are assembled upon the bottom, mounting tab 32 will lie against bottom 10, while mounting t-ab 30 on the adjacent rail will lie upon mounting t-ab 32. By

locating the elements 20 in head to tail relationship, all

elements may be constructed in an identical manner while at the same time permitting the overlapping assembly in the corner regions. As best appreciated in Fig. 3, each mounting tab is provided with a hole 34 for reception of rivet 36 which passes through hole 38 in bottom 10 to secure `elements 20 Ito the bottom. By the foregoing construction, only four rivets are required to assemble the four elements 20 upon the bottom of the crate.

The siderail portion of element 20 is formed in the Fig. 2 embodiment, with an outer side wall 40 which is extended upwardly from the outer edge of horizontal surface 18. As best shown in the cross sectional views of Figs. 2, 4 and 5 outer side wall 40 is formed with a longitudinal inwardly directed crease 42 which provides imf wall 48 thus overlies bottom 1G and, in its assembled relationship, is located to lie against the inner surface of upturned flanges 14 of bottom 10. The side rail portion of element 20, when assembled upon bottom 10, thus provides a hollow, box-like rail extending entirely along.

at the ends to define a rounded corner on the assembled crate.

The sides of the crate are constructed from rod-like wire side members 50. As best seenin Figs. 1 and 2, one structural arrangement finds the vertical side members shaped in the form of an inverted U whereby the assembly operation may be performed more conveniently. Horizontallyextending tie members 52 are secured around the periphery of the side walls, as by welding, to provide increased rigidity and maintain side members 50 in place within the side rails.

Referring now to Figs. 2, 4 and 5, it will be noted that the lower portion of side members 50 pass downwardly through holes 46 in the side rail to rest upon horizontal surface 18. In each of these embodiments, the portion of side members 50 which are located within the side rail are offset in order that the side member may be engaged, in a horizontal direction, not only by the walls of holes 46 but also by a side wall of the side rail. Referring to the Fig. 2 embodiment, side member 50 is inserted into hole 46 from above, and the member is manipulated until the side member is in the position shown in Fig..2. This places an offset portion 54 immediately beneath upper surface 44 at one side of hole 46 and forms a shoulder whereby direct vertical withdrawal of side member 50 from hole 46 is not possible. Prior to the joining of tie members 52 to the side members 50, side members 50 are free to move, from the position shown in Fig. 2, only in a counterclockwise pivotal movement about 'the left-hand edge of hole 46. Movement in a plane at right angles to the cross sectional plane of Fig. 2 is .prohibited because of the U shaped formation of side members 50, while the engagement between side members S0, the right-hand edge of hole 46 and crease 42 prohibits-a clockwiseV displacement of side members 50. When tie members 52 are secured around the periphery of the sides, side members Si) cannot move in any direction and are thus firmly secured to the side rail in the complete absence of any direct permanent connection between side members 50 and element 20.

A second form which side members 50 may take is shown in Fig. 4. In this case, the lower portion of side member 50 is bent into a generally S configuration where in the lower loop 5S of the S is engaged between upturned flange 14 of bottom 1t) and the portion of side wall 40 below crease 42. By offsetting the portion of side member 50 immediately above hole 46, the side member may be disposed to lie in the same vertical plane as inner side surface of side wall 48 of the side rail and tie members 52 may be located somewhat closer to the side rail than in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2.

Still another embodiment is disclosed in Fig. 5. In this case, the lower end 60 is offset at a slight angle to the vertical whereby portion 6l) may engage outer side wall 40 below crease 42. In this embodiment, it has been found desirable to assist the wedging engagement between portion 60 and outer side wall 40 in preventing vertical withdrawal of side member 50 by welding as at 62.

The embodiment disclosed in Fig. 6 finds side members 50 being formed with an enlarged headed portion 72 positioned to be supported upon upper surface 44 of the side rail. Horizontal surface 1S is provided with a series of spaced longitudinal openings 74 which are preferably formed by punching to provide a recess for the 4 reception of a rivet head 76 formed on the lower end of side members 50.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 7 and 8, a modified type of side rail is disclosed. In this construction, the outer surface 26 of the stacking rail is continued directly upward and cooperates with tiange 14 of bottom 10 to define the side rail. The upper portion of surface 26 and tiange 14 are formed with nesting grooves or rib-like projections 78 and 80 respectively to receive the lower end of side member 50. A horizontal opening 82 passes through the lower end of ribs 78 and 80 to receive the lower end of side members 50 which, in this embodiment, is bent at right angles to the vertical portion of member 50. The portion of side members 50 protruding from hole 82 may be either riveted or welded to the outer surface of surface 26 to secure side members 50 in position.

One problem which has arisen in connection with wire side crate is'that the square configuration of a cardboard milk container causes the corner of the container to project somewhat beyond the end side members whereby the outer corner of the cardboard container is unprotected. In order to overcome this undesirable feature, it has been proposed to shield this region by sheet metal corner guards. Since the most convenient method of attaching such guards to the wire sides is by welding, a further problem has arisen in that the lighter gauge of the sheet material employed in the corner guard heats up much more rapidly than the heavier metal employed in the side member or horizontal tie members. If sufficient heat is applied to provide a good bond upon the wire members, frequently the lighter gauge sheet metal of the corner guard is burned away. Conversely, if the heat is regulated to an amount which does not affect the lighter sheet metal, frequently the wire members are not heated sufficiently to provide a secure bond.

Referring now to Fig. 9, the foregoing problem may be solved by employing a lightweight sheet metal corner guard 66. The sheet is bent into a right angled configuration and is provided with longitudinally extending grooves 68 shaped and located to receive legs of side members 50. Elongated holes 70 of generally oval shape are formed in corner guard 60 whereby guard 66 may be placed in position upon the side members and tie members 52 may engage side members 50 directly within holes 70. By disposing side members 50 on the inner side of guard 66 and passing tie members 52 around the outer surface of guard 66 (Fig. l), side members 50 and tie members 52 may be welded directly to each other with no need whatsoever of performing any welding directly on corner guard 66.

The foregoing construction is readily adaptable to mass production, employs a minimum number of parts, and achieves a wire sided crate of extremely rigid construction. A positive and rigid connection is achieved bev tween the wire side members and the sheet like bottom by the employment of only four rivets. The welding required in ordinary crates of this type is reduced to an absolute minimum, since in most cases no weldments are necessary between the side members and the bottom. The only weldments which are absolutely essential in the carrying out of my invention are those which are ordinarilyy employed to secure the side members and tie members to each other.

I claim:

1. A crate comprising a bottom of sheet material having upturned flanges extending along each side thereof, stacking rails extending along each side of said bottom to support said bottom thereupon, means integral with said stacking rails projecting upwardly therefrom into abutment with said flanges to define side rails extending along each side of said bottom, each of said side rails having a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings therein, rod-like side members supported in said openings and projecting upwardly therefrom to define the sides of .said crate, and tie members extending around the sides of said crate to maintain said side members in position in said openings.

2. A crate comprising a bottom sheet, hollow box-like side rails secured to and extending along each side of said bottom, rod-like side members projecting upwardly through holes in said side rails, each of said side members having an offset lower 'portion located within the interior of said side rail engaging an interior side surface of said side rail at a position spaced from said hole, tie members extending around the periphery Eof said crate and secured to each of said side members at a position spaced above said side rail to prevent disengagement of said offset lower portions of said side members from said interior side surfaces to thereby maintain said side members in assembled relationship with said hollow side rails.

3. A crate comprising a bottom sheet, stacking rails secured to and extending along each side of said bottom to support said bottom thereupon, a side rail portion integral with each of said stacking rails and projecting upwardly therefrom to surround the associated side edge of said bottom defining therewith a hollow, box-like side rail extending the length of each side of said bottom,

4rod-like side members having generally vertical upper portions projecting upwardly from holes in said side rails to define the sides of said crate, each of said side members engaging said side rail at the sides of said hole and having an integral lower portion offset from said upper portion to engage an interior side surface of said side rail at a position spaced below and to one side of said hole, and tie members extending around the periphery of said crate and secured to each of said side members at a position spaced above said side rail to maintain the upper portions of said side members in their generally vertical position to maintain said side members in assembled relationship with said side rails.

4. A crate comprising a bottom, upturned flanges integral with said bottom and extending along a portion of each side thereof, a stacking rail element extending along each side of said bottom and supporting said bottom thereupon, an integral side rail uponeach of said stacking rails comprising an outer side wall projecting upwardly from said stacking rail, an upper surface projecting inwardly from said outer side wall and an inner side wall projecting downwardly from said upper surface into engagement with the inner surface of the associated upturned flange, rod-like side members projecting upwardly from said stacking rail through holes in said .upper surface, each of said side members engaging said side rail at said holes and said outer side wall to prevent direct vertical withdrawal of said side members from said holes.

5. A crate comprising a bottom of sheet material, stacking rails secured along each side of said bottom to support said bottom thereupon, side rails integral with each of said stacking rails, rod-like side members supported in said side rails, corner guards of sheet material each having a pair of longitudinal grooves therein receiving and overlying the side members located adjacent a corner of said crate, and tie members secured around the outer periphery of the sides of said crate, overlying said corner members and directly secured to said side members received in said grooves within enlarged openings in said corner guards.

6. A crate comprising a bottom of vsheet material having upturned flanges extending along each side thereof, stacking rails extending along each side of said bottom to support said bottom thereupon, means integral with said stacking rails projecting upwardly therefrom into abutment with said flanges to define hollow, box-like side rails extending along each side of said bottom, each of said side rails having a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings through the upper wall thereof, rod-like side members supported within said side rails and projecting 6 upwardly through said openings to definev the sides of said crate, offset lower portions on each of said side members engageable` with at least two interior surfaces of said side rails, and tie members extending around the sides of said crate to maintain said lower portions of said sidemembers in engagement with said surfaces.

A7. A crate comprising a bottom of sheet material, stackingrails extending along each side of said bottom to support said bottom thereupon, hollow box-like side rails integral with said stacking rails and extending from said stacking rails outwardly and upwardly around the edges of said bottom to define hollow, box-like side rails extending along each side of said bottom, each of said side rails including a lower wall projecting beyond the associated edge of said bottom, an outer wall projecting upwardly from said lower wall, and an upper wall overlying said lower wall and projecting inwardly from said outer wall beyond said edge of said bottom, a series of spaced openings in said upper wall located inwardly of said rail from the outer wall thereof, rod-like side members received in said openings and projecting upwardly from said rails to define the sides of said crate, and a lower portion on each of said side members extending downwardly from said opening to the lower wall of said rail, said lower portion being offset intermediate said upper and lower walls into engagement with said outer wall.

8. A crate as recited in claim 7 wherein an upwardly projecting integral flange extends along each edge of said bottom, and an inner wall on said side rail extending downwardly from said upper wall into engagement with the inner surface of the flange on said bottom.

9. A crate as recited in claim 8 wherein said lower portion is offset into engagement with the outer surface of said flange.

10. A crate comprising a bottom of sheet material having upturned flanges extending along each side thereof, stacking rails extending along each side of said bottom to support said bottom thereupon, an outer side wall on each of said stacking rails extending upwardly along the outer surface of the associated flange on said bottom, means defining a series of spaced vertical grooves in the inner surface of said flanges, each of said means including a hole extending through said flange and said outer wall from each of said grooves, rod-like side members seated in each of said grooves and projecting upwardly therefrom to define the sides of said crate, each of said side members having its lower end received in the hole in its associated groove, and means securing said lower ends in said holes.

l1. A crate having a rectangular bottom of sheet material, stacking elements located below the bottom along each of its sides and secured thereto to support said bottom thereupon, hollow box-like side rail members comprised of walls integral with each of the said stacking elements extending outwardly from the stacking elements, then upwardly, and then downwardly to surround the associated side edge of the rectangular bottom, longitudinally spaced openings in each of the Said box-like side rail members, rod-like side members received in said openings, tie members commonly connecting all of said rod-like members to each other to maintain said rodlike members in a vertical position, and means on the lower ends of said rod-like members received within the side rail members and engageable with the interior of the side rail members when the rod-like members are in said vertical position to prevent direct vertical withdrawal of said rod-like members from the openings in said side rail members.

12. A crate comprising a bottom of sheet material, an elongated hollow side rail member secured to and extending along each side edge of the said bottom formed of walls extending in the direction of the said side edge and surrounding an interior hollow space also extending in the said direction, longitudinally spaced openings in the upper walls of the side rail members, rod-like members extending through the openings into the hollow space, offset lower end portions on the rod-like members engageable with the interior of said side rail members at locations spaced from the sides of said openings, and means secured to the upper portions of said rod-like members for maintaining the offset lower portions thereof in engagement with said locations to prevent withdrawal of said members from said openings.

References' Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Brown Nov. 3, 1931V Moorman Feb. 13, 1934 Swingle Feb. 7, 1950 Tichenor Aug. 22, 1950 Whittington Nov. 25, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Denmark June 20, 1929 

